Game 3 of the 1998 ALDS between the Indians and Red Sox saw Doc Gooden get into it early with home plate umpire Joe Brinkman. After three borderline pitches in the first inning that didn’t go his way, Gooden visibly reacted, muttered at the ump, and drew the attention of manager Mike Hargrove. Hargrove came out to defend his pitcher, arguing the strike zone. Brinkman wasn’t having it and tossed Hargrove just three batters into the game. The argument escalated with yelling and finger-pointing before Hargrove left the field.
The inning didn’t get better for Gooden. A stolen base attempt led to an overthrow and extra bases. Then came a check swing by Nomar Garciaparra that was ruled no swing, followed by a deep double off the wall that scored a run. A second runner came around and was clearly tagged out before touching home, but Brinkman called him safe. Gooden lost it, squared up to the ump again, and had to be pulled back before storming off the mound. He tossed some gear, shouted at the ump, and left the field visibly frustrated. Fans even held up signs calling for the umps to be thrown out instead. Not the outing Gooden or Cleveland wanted, and frustration boiled over quickly.